sacrifices and rewards

Sometimes you do not reap the full measure of the rewards for your individual sacrifices and efforts. Or, we might say we do not enjoy all the fruits of our labors. Sometimes that falls to future generations.

We, the present generation, are reaping the rewards of the sacrifices of preceding generations. Since we cannot repay these now deceased individuals who made great sacrifices for us, we can at least “pay it forward” so that our children and grandchildren will benefit from our sacrifices, efforts and achievements. Whether our children (and their children) will fully appreciate, honor and value our sacrifices is not known.

Even though we cannot capture all the benefits of what we produce, we ought to still give of ourselves, and set a good example for those around us as we try constructively to build a better, more loving world. Let us be on guard against becoming overly selfish or self-centered.